VANCOUVER
– A $1.3-million investment in direct current (DC) fast-charging infrastructure
in 13 communities throughout the province continues to help electric vehicle
owners plug in and get charged.

Environment
Minister Terry Lake made this announcement in unveiling the future location of
Vancouver’s first DC fast-charging station at Telus World of Science today.

“It’s
extremely encouraging to see such widespread interest among communities across
the province in hosting and operating electric vehicle charging stations,
including DC fast chargers,” said Lake. “Providing electric vehicle owners with
more options to charge their vehicles will make electric vehicles an even more
attractive option.”

DC
fast chargers require only 20 to 30 minutes for 80 per cent charge and are
necessary to give electric vehicle owners the confidence to travel between
communities. On the other hand, Level 2 charging stations (240 volt) require
four to eight hours to reach full charge, which is usually adequate for
commuters, but can hamper electric vehicle mobility between communities,
especially for pure battery electric vehicle owners.

“More
efficient charging stations make driving vehicles that use clean B.C.
electricity a much easier choice,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy, Mines
and Natural Gas. “B.C. families in communities throughout the province can now
charge their electric vehicles more quickly and reduce their transportation
energy costs.”

The
installation of these stations will also mark a significant milestone for
B.C.’s Clean Energy Vehicle Program – completing the B.C. portion of the West
Coast Green Highway, a commitment made by Premier Christy Clark under the
Pacific Coast Collaborative (Washington State, Oregon, California and B.C.) to
ensure electric vehicle fast charging is deployed along the Highway 99/I-5
Corridor. Electric vehicle owners will eventually be able to drive from San
Diego, California all the way to Whistler knowing they can charge their
vehicles along the way.

“BC Hydro is a proud
supporter of British Columbia’s efforts to expand electric vehicle charging
points across the province,”
said Kip Morison, chief technology officer with BC Hydro. “The deployment of this
infrastructure represents an important step in transitioning from single
demonstration projects to a more comprehensive and accessible charging network.”

The project
is managed by BC Hydro with funding coming from the previously announced $14.3-million
provincial Clean Energy Vehicle Program. BC Hydro will continue to own the DC
fast chargers, while the participating communities provide access to municipal
land to host and operate the stations.

“Fast
chargers are key to enabling electric car owners to travel between communities
and absolutely critical for the general adoption of electric transportation
technology,” said John Stonier of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association.
“Fast chargers complement the provincial government’s clean energy vehicle
plug-in initiative and the Community Charging Infrastructure Fund. Together,
they provide the foundation of electric vehicle infrastructure that will serve
B.C. for decades to come.”

“The
Victoria LEAF Club is encouraged by today’s announcement,” said Manfred
Wissemann, president of the club of Nissan LEAF owners. “The introduction of
fast charging stations in B.C. will enable same day travel over long distances
by electric vehicles.”

The
Clean Energy Vehicle
Program includes the
Community Charging Infrastructure Fund, the CEV for BC Point of Sale Incentive
Program, upgrades to hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and LiveSmart rebate
programs for residential charging infrastructure.

These
programs have been well received across the province. Since Dec. 1, 2011,
British Columbia businesses, residents and local governments have been able to
access grants and rebates that have gone towards the installation of 562 public
Level 2 charging stations, 90 residential Level 2 charging stations, 355 clean
energy vehicles – and now 13 DC fast-charging stations.

“The
New Car Dealers Association of BC applauds today’s charging station
announcement,” said Blair Qualey, president and CEO of the association. “This
new infrastructure program is a critical development and, when combined with
the incentives available through the CEV for BC program, make buying and owning
a clean energy vehicle in British Columbia an attractive and viable option for
drivers.”

The
CEV for BC program provides B.C.
residents with up to $5,000 off the pre-tax sticker price for qualifying new
battery electric, fuel-cell electric, plug-in hybrid electric and compressed
natural gas vehicles until March 31, 2013.

The
following locations have been identified for deploying DC fast chargers (the exact
site location within a community could change, should the outcome of the
engineering/electrical assessments currently underway warrant an alternate
location):